August 7, 1998

SEATTLE, Wash. -King Redoubt, an Alaskan Malamute who served as the Washington mascot for seven years, died Saturday from natural causes at his Bellevue home. King Redoubt was owned by Kim Cross, whose family has served as the University's trainers and handlers for its mascots since 1959.

At the time of his death, King Redoubt was eight and one-half years old.

"We were really unprepared for something like this," Cross said. "He was a really good dog and had a great temperament to be at the games with the large crowds. He was really good with people and very popular among kids."

Cross said the family plans to use one of King Redoubt's offspring, Husky Prince Redoubt, for the upcoming 1998 Washington football season. Husky Prince Redoubt is a four-year-old Alaskan Malamute owned by Jim Robinson of Madronna.

"Husky Prince Redoubt looks almost identical to King Redoubt and has his same temperament," Cross said. "He is so similar that we just call him Junior."

King Redoubt began his mascot duties on a full-time basis at the 1991 Rose Bowl where Washington defeated Iowa 46-34. He returned to the Rose Bowl the following season when Washington defeated Michigan 34-14 to clinch a perfect 12-0 record and win the National Championship.